Wuhan University (WHU)-Paris Cité University Confucius Institute, in collaboration with the Paris 13th arrondissement city hall, held a unique Chinese New Year sand painting and music concert on Feb 7. Nearly 500 guests, including Chinese and French dignitaries, Confucius Institute faculty and students, and other attendees, attended the event.

The Chinese New Year sand painting and concert is held in Paris, France.

Attendees pose for a photo to commemorate the event.

The concert featured a collaboration between Matthieu LECOQ, a pianist from the Paris Opera, and Meng Lingchen, a teacher from the Confucius Institute specializing in guqin (a traditional Chinese seven-string plucked instrument).

The duo adapted the classic Chinese story High Mountain and Flowing Water, with Chinese sand painting artist Jing Peng creating live art on stage. This fusion of sand painting, traditional Chinese instruments like the guqin, and Western instruments like the cello and piano offered a novel and engaging artistic experience.

Performers showcase a unique fusion of Chinese and Western instruments, featuring the guqin, piano, and cello.

In addition to the performance, the event showcased the achievements of the Confucius Institute. Chinese language teachers and students played key roles as hosts and narrators, contributing to the event’s seamless execution. Following the performance, attendees expressed a heightened interest in learning about Chinese language and culture.

This event reinforced the WHU-Paris Cité University Confucius Institute's brand image and fostered deeper cultural exchange between China and France, building bridges of friendship and mutual understanding.